Strand lighting system from 1989...how do I use it?

[jgels]

Hi all,
I do most of my productions here at the school in our black box theater but it would be great if I could turn the auditorium into a usable space.

Pictures below of everything I am describing.
I did some investigation in there yesterday to figure out what exactly is in the space. There are two large dimmer boxes that say Strand Environ 2 on them. which seem two be permanently wired to three rows of strip lights. The one thing I really can not figure out is how to control them. There is a 4 pin connection on the other side of the stage that says "lighting system" over it but when I plug it into the Strand Controller Board that also lives in the auditorium it seems to have no affect on the lighting.

I want to figure out how to control the strip lights that are there. Ideally I would love to get the system rewired (if the system looks like it can handle it) into three electrics that I can hang fixtures on rather than the permanently wired strip lights.

Let me know what people think. I can't figure out how to control this thing or even if it is a dmx control. Any help would be appreciated.

[marmer]

Probably not DMX, I think some companies might have made a DMX add-on. Here is the Strand Environ 2 manual:

http://www.strandlighting.com/client...ing_manual.pdf

and here is a Johnson Systems catalog which mentions a JS_ENVY DMX module for the Environ 2. http://homepage.mac.com/danby/filech...LOR_HI_RES.pdf

[Van]

Weird, Looking at that manual kinda confirms what I was remembering. the Eviron series is more of an Architectual control system. usually used to control House/lobby lights or exterior lighting. The Master module is a set it and forget it type unit. Designed to be programmed then walked away from. I twouild make sense that this unit would be installed to run house or classroom lights in a theatre, sort of. then it could be over-ridden when a lighting control system was activated in the theatre. It would be interseting/useful to see what the breakers are labelled.

[Ric]

the Eviron series is more of an Architectual control system. usually used to control House/lobby lights or exterior lighting. The Master module is a set it and forget it type unit. Designed to be programmed then walked away from. .

Yes this is eactly right. Back in the later 80's I programmed a number of Environ systems at Strand here in Oz. It was an EPROM system programmed from a dedicated PC inhouse, dimmer channels or zones, fade times, time of day on/off etc. also could be tied in with daylight sensor s & dedicated control panels.
I doubt that a programming system for the Environ EPROM exists anywhere anymore to get that reprogrammed.
The dimmers themselves would likely be 0 to -10V controls system, and it's probably possible to get a DMX - analogue (demultiplex) controller adapter to drive them.

[phenry]

That unit would not have been DMX.
We no longer offer reprogramming of the cards ourselves, and I believe that the last known functioning programmer is in the hands of Century Lighting in New Jersey.

[jgels]

Thanks for all the input. Some city electricians just came in yesterday and seemed to think that the dimmer were more or less non-functioning. They can be turned on and off and that is about it. From their opinions and what you all are telling me. The only way I am gonna get this auditorium to have some decent lighting is with an overhaul and/or leds.
Thanks all!

[Bart53]

jgels,
Does the system have any wall control stations? Possibly a 4700 Series pushbutton unit with and LED display? This is where all of the presets are programmed to allow dimming of the loads. If you wish to have me come and look at it, give my company a call at 617-491-4700 and ask for Nikki. She can schedule a visit. It also appears that panic switch is activated int the Environ unit that you photographed which will only allow you to turn the lights on and off from the breakers in the rack.

Bart